Operating and control mechanism for pressing machines



June 8, 1937.

OPERATING AND CONTROL MECHANISM FOR PRESSING MACHINES J. P7 SINGISER 2,082,913

Filed April 25, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l 42 INVENTOR JOHN P. SINGISER QMQ Q ATTORNEYS June 8, 1937. lNGiSER 2,082,913

OPERATING AND CONTROL MECHANISM FOR PRESSING MACHINES Filed April 25, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m I M FIG.3 T I INVENTOR 4 JOHN P. SINGISER ATTORNEYJ iii Patented June 8, 1937 PATENT OFFICE OPERATING m CONTROL MECHANISM ron rmassmo moms John P. Singiser, Chicago, 111., assignor to The American Laundry Machinery Company, Norwood, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application April 25, 1935, Serial No. 18,146

6 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in pressing machines of the type generally used in laundry and garment work. M

An object of the present invention is to provide a pair of coacting pressing members each of which is movable toward the other, the first member being placed in operative position by mechanism which forms a rigid supporting abutment for it during movement of the second member to close the press.

An object of my invention is to provide a novel arrangement of structural members and power means for moving the coacting pressing members in a machine of the type described.

My invention also contemplates the provision of novel control mechanism in a press of this sort, including spaced safety manuals for the moving or the first pressing member into operative position and a manual adjacent one of said spaced manuals for controlling the movement of the second pressing member to, finally close the press.

Other objects and advantages include special arrangements of the power mechanism and the motion transmitting mechanism between the power mechanism and the pressing members and novel snubbing means for the movable pressing member. 1

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is an end elevation partly in section showing a pressing machine embodying my invention with the pressing members in their open position, the control mechanism being shown somewhat diagrammatically; Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the press in its finally closed position; Fig. 3 is an enlarged view, partlyin section, of a portion of the mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged views taken along the lines 4-4 and 5-5 of Fig. 2; while Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the control valves.

I have illustrated my improved power and control mechanism as applied to a press of a well known type in which a frame 10 supports on an upstanding pedestal II a pressing bed 12 which is mounted for limited vertical movement with respect to the frame. For lifting the bed I have provided the same with a downwardly extending centrally-located stem I3. The bed is guided in its vertical movement by pins 14 which travel in suitable bores in the pedestal. Tilev bed is biased toward its lowermost position bysprings l4 on pins 14. A coacting pressing head I5 is carried by a head lever 16 which is pivotally mounted am the frame at l1. For moving the head lever tcopen and close the press I have provided toggle links l8 and I9 pivotally connected together at a knuckle 20 and pivotally connected at their upper end 2| with the head lever and at their lower end 22 with the frame. These toggle links are movable to and preferably beyond a straightened position in order to place and to hold the head in coacting position. It will be apparent from Fig. 2 that with the toggle in this position the head support is rigid with the machine frame so that the bed may be moved vertically upward against the head to exert ironing pressure. The toggle links are limited in their rearward movement by the engagement of link 19 with the combined snubber and kick-plunger indicated generally at 23. The head is normally maintained in the open position of Fig. l by one or more springs 24 connected between the rear end of the head lever and the frame. This spring is so positioned that it holds the toggle in the strut-forming position of Fig. 2. To initiate press-opening movement from the toggle position of Fig. 2 I therefore provide the device 23 for kicking the toggle. This device comprises a bracket 25 connected with the frame and which supports a small cylinder 2B in which is mounted a plunger 21 carried by a rod 28 and the position is adjustable by a nut 29. A spring 30 biases the plunger in its forward position. The plunger 21 is arranged in the line of movement of toggle l9 so that spring 30 is compressed upon movement of the toggle into the position of Fig. 2. The spring then acts to kick the toggle open when the press is released, spring 24 completing the opening movement.

The power means for operating the press comprises a head moving motor 31 and a bed moving motor32. The motor 31 comprises a cylinder 33 pivotally mounted at 34 on a portion of the press frame. In cylinder 33 moves a piston 35 whose rod 36 is pivotally connected at 31 to toggle l9. Cylinder 33 has a small vent 38 at its forward end for a purpose later described.

The supply of motive fluid for motor 31 is by way of conduit 39, valve casing 40, conduit 4|, valve casing 42 and conduit 43. In casing 40 is anormally closed inlet valve 400 having a stem 401) which is operable by a manual 40cwhich is pivotally mounted at 40d. Casing 42 houses a normally closed inlet valve 42a and a normally open outlet valve 42b, both mounted on a stem 42c and operable by manual 42d.

It is obvious that the bed moving motor 32 might be arranged vertically beneath the bed so that the piston would act directly on the stem 13 to raise the bed. Such an arrangement would be satisfactory, but I have shown a modified ar The supply of motive fluid to motor 32 is by way of conduit 52, valve casing 53 and conduit 54. Casing 53 houses a normally closed inlet valve 53a and a'normally open outlet valve 53b which are V mounted on a common stem 53c for actuation by a. manual 5311 which may be mounted as shown for free rotation about the pivot 55, the manual having an upstanding arm 53c arranged to contact the stem 530. Any type of stay-put valve would be satisfactory here, that is, a valve which would stay in either on or off" position after being so moved. A rotary valve like that used in Patent No. 1,451,292, granted April 10, 1923,

to Jacob Dashew would be suitable. With the type of valve shown here I cause the valve to stay put against the bias of its spring by a detent 56 which is spring pressed downwardly and has a shoulder 51 adapted to engage arm 53c when the manual is in its operated position.

2 The operation of the mechanism in the form just described is as follows: With the parts in the open position of Fig. 1, the operator arranges the lay of the work upon bed i2 and depresses manuals c and 42d. This opens valves 40a. and 42a and closes valve 421), thus establishing flow of motive fluid through conduits 39, 4| and 43 to cylinder 33. It is obvious that both manuals must be depressed to establish this flow of motive 40 fluid and if manual 42d is released before the press is finally closed, the fluid will escape through the outlet valve 42b, whereas if manual 400 is released prematurely, the motive fluid will escape through the vent 38 in cylinder 33, and in either 45 case the springs 30 and 24 will serve to return the head to its open'position. In the normal operation of the press, however, both manuals are held depressed until the toggle moves to and beyond straightened position, at which time the head is in coacting positionadjacent the bed but the bed is still in its lower position. The operator then grasps manual 53d with the fingers of the right hand and actuates it from the position of Fig. 1 to the position of Fig. 2. This opens valve'53a.

55 and closes valve 53b so as to establish the supply of motive fluidfor motor 32 through conduits 52 and 54. Piston 46 thereupon makes a power stroke toward the right to the position of Fig. 2 which raises bed l2 into engagement with the head l5 so as to close the press and produce full flnalpressure, as shown in Fig. 2. The manuals 40c and 42d being then released, the pressure in motor3l is evacuated and the press remains closed as the valves in casing 53 remain in their operated position.

To cushion the-movement of the head at the ends of its path of travel'and to prevent any rebound of the toggle links l8 and I9 from the 7 position of Fig. 2, I provide a snubber mechanism indicated generally at 53 and connected by a link 50 to the toggle link M. It is essential in this type of press that the toggle shall move without rebound into the beyond-straightened position of Fig. 2 as otherwise motor 32 might move the bed l2 upwardly just in time to catch the a pressing head, means toggle on a rebound with resultant opening of thepress. The snubber mechanism which I have illustrated comprises a piston 6| reciprocating in a casing 62 which will be filled with a fluid which must pass from one end of the casing to the other, as the piston reciprocates, through a bore 63 in the piston. Adjustable pins 64 at opposite ends of the casing partially close the bore 63 as the snubber piston approaches each end of the casing and this retards the flow of fluid through the bore 63 thus exerting a cushioning effect through shaft 65 and arm 66 which are connected by link 60 with the toggle. As the toggle links move into the position of Fig. 2 the snubber 59 cooperates with the device 23 to give smooth, quiet operation without rebound of the links.

The head l5 may be heated through piping 61 and the bed through piping 68, either or both as maybe desired. In such case, the piping wil be arranged as shown to permit the necessary movement of the pressing members.

What I claim is:

1. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting relativelymovable pressing members, each movable toward the other, means normally tending to move one of said members into inoperative position, power means for moving said one member into operative position adjacent the other member, said means including parts movable into final position when said one member is in operative position, said parts being so arranged as to resist pressure tending to open the press only when in final position, power means for moving said other member toward. said one member, two spaced safety manuals both of which must be actuated for controlling said first named power means, and operating means for said second named power means including a manual grouped with one of the safety manuals for operation by the same hand of the operator, said operating means being arranged to hold said second named power means in actuated position to hold said press closed.

2. In a pressing machine, a frame, a pressing bed vertically movable in said frame, a fluid actuated motor for moving said bed, a coacting pressing head, mechanism for moving said head into and holding said head in position adjacent said bed, said mechanism including toggle links movable from broken position into and beyond straightened position, means biasing said links toward broken position, a fluid actuated motor for moving said toggle links to beyond-straightened position, a fluid supply for said toggle moving motor including two inlet valves in series and spaced safety manuals for actuating said valves, a fluid supply for said bed moving motor including a control member grouped with one of said safety manuals, and a small' leak port in the fluid supply for said toggle moving motor located on the motor side of said inlet valves.

3. In a pressing machine, a frame, a pressing bed vertically movable in said frame, a fluid motor for moving said bed, a fluid supply for said motor, biasing said head away from said bed in all positions of said head, mechanism for moving said head into position adjacent but out of contact with said bed, said mechanism being constructed and arranged so that said head when in said position resists vertical upward pressure against it, a motor for moving said head and mechanism to said position, fluid supply means for said head'moving motor independent of said supply for said bed moving motor and including two spaced safetymanuals both of which must be actuated for controlling the supply for said head moving motor, and a manual adjacent one of said safety manuals and movable from off to on position for controlling the fluid supply for said bed moving motor.

4. A pressing machine as in claim 3, including means whereby said last named manual will stay put in either of its positions.

5. In a pressing machine, a frame, a pressing bed vertically movable in said frame, a fluid actuated motor for moving said bed, a fluid supply for said motor, a coacting pressing head, mechanism for moving said head into and holding said head in position adjacent said bed, said mechanism including toggle links movable from broken position into and beyond straightened position, means biasing said links toward broken position, a fluid actuated motor for moving said toggle links to beyond-straightened position, a fluid supply for said toggle moving motor independent of said bed moving motor supply and including two valves both of which must be operated to effectively supply fluid to the said motor, said valves being biased to ineffective supply position, spaced safety manuals for actuating said valves, and said fluid supply for said bed moving motor including a control member grouped with one of said safety manuals.

6. In a pressing machine, a frame, a pressing bed having a pressing surface vertically movable relative to said frame, fluid actuated means for raising said bed surface, a pressing head supported on said frame for movement from open position into and out of pressing position adjacent said bed and when in pressing position engageable by said bed surface when the latter is raised, biasing means always tending to move said head toward open position, a fluid motor, mechanism between said motor and head whereby said motor when supplied with fluid moves said head to pressing position, said mechanism when said head is in pressing position being arranged to be held by upward pressure of the bed surface against the head in head-supporting position against the action of said biasingmeans tending to open the press, fluid supply means for said motor including two control members spaced apart to require a hand of the operator on each of them for coincident actuation thereof, said supply means being so arranged that coincident actuation of said control members is necessary to actuate said motor and release of either control member evacuates said motor whereupon said head moves to open position by action of said biasing means except when said head is held in pressing position by said bed pressure, and fluid supply for said fluid actuated means associated with said bed independent of said motor supply means and including a manual grouped with one of said two-hand control members for operation by the same hand of the operator, whereby both hands of the operator must be used to bring said head to pressing position and one hand trips said bed control manual while holding said two-hand control member and thereafter said motor is evacuated by release of said two-hand control members and pressure of said bed against said head holds said press closed.

JOHN P. SINGISER. 

